Welcome to the one and only Saturday vote of Lent Madness 2021. After today, your weekends will be free from difficult and heart-wrenching electoral/sanctoral decisions. Today, though, it's Tarcisius vs. Egeria
Yesterday, Constantine dominated Miguel Pro 62% to 38% in a controversial matchup that left some voters abstaining, but every voter thinking, contemplating, and learning. Which is precisely the point!
Enjoy the Lord's Day tomorrow and we'll see you bright and early on Monday morning as we begin the first full week of Lent Madness 2021, with the Battle of the Greats as Leo the Great takes on Albert the Great. Thanks for joining us on this journey. We are truly grateful you've made Lent Madness part of your Lenten devotions this year.
Tarcisius
Very little is known about the young boy martyr, Tarcisius. Our earliest reference to him comes from Pope Damasus in the late fourth century ce. In a poem honoring martyrs, Pope Damasus writes of Tarcisius, “When an insane gang pressed saintly Tarcisius, who was carrying the sacraments of Christ, to display them to the profane, he preferred to be killed and give up his life rather than betray to rabid dogs the heavenly body.” Tarcisius then, like Stephen, is a Christian witness who fell victim to mob violence.
Later stories fill in what might have transpired. According to those stories, during the reign of Valerian (253-259 ce), Tarcisius was a young altar server. Many Christians had been rounded up and put into jail for their belief. After the host had been consecrated in clandestine worship services, it was delivered to those who were imprisoned. Priests were easily recognized and targeted for harassment and arrest, so they would send others to deliver the consecrated host. One Sunday, young Tarcisius volunteered to deliver the eucharist to those in prison.
On his way to deliver the host, he passed a group of young friends who invited him to play a game. They were perplexed when he declined and began to jostle and tease him in good fun. They noticed he was clutching something to his chest, and they began to try to pry it from him. He knew the value of this treasure and the importance of his mission, and he held the host ever closer to his chest. The scrum, playful at first, grew more violent. In the tussle, one of the attackers saw a fish etched into the box holding the host. The playful abuse turned to violent assault as the boys began to pummel him for being a Christian.
A Roman soldier saw the disturbance and rushed over to rescue Tarcisius from the cruel gang. The Roman soldier revealed himself to be a Christian before little Tarcisius died in his arms. In some accounts, as he died, Tarcisius begged the soldier to finish his errand for him, and the soldier obliged. In other accounts, as he lay dying in the soldier’s arms, the host simply disappeared.
Tarcisius is the patron saint of altar servers and first communicants. His feast day is August 15.
Collect for Tarcisius
Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Tarcisius triumphed over suffering and was faithful even to death: Grant us, who now remember him in thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Egeria
Egeria was a fourth-century woman who traveled to the Holy Land and wrote about her experiences, leaving the world an invaluable record of the development of language, liturgy, and Christianity.
We don’t know all that much about Egeria, the person. From her writing, it would appear that she had some status—the ability to travel from Europe to Palestine in the late 300s was not common. We also know she was a woman of deep faith, in that she undertook such a journey.
Her extant writing consists of a lengthy letter, now in two fragments, that she sent back to her community in Europe. Scholars are divided as to whether this community was based in Spain or perhaps France. She addresses them as “her sisters,” which could signify a monastic community, but this was early enough that all Christians tended to address fellow believers with sibling nomenclature.
One fragment of her letter describes her approach from Mount Sinai to Constantinople, and the other fragment describes, in great detail, the liturgical practices of the church in Jerusalem and Galilee over a year. Egeria, it would seem, spent at least three years in Palestine, making notes and observations. This provides us with invaluable information about the liturgical life of the early church and how various reforms and ideas moved throughout the Christian world. Her letter, for example, gives us the first record of such familiar rituals as the Palm Sunday procession, the Easter Vigil, and the Good Friday remembrance.
Her letter also offers an important insight into the development of Romance languages. Because it’s written in a casual form of post-classical Latin, it forms a bridge between what was classical Latin and what would become the Romance languages. (In fact, Egeria’s letters feature some of the first known uses of the definite article.)
Egeria’s bravery and creativity enabled the entire Western world to access the liturgical life we now enjoy, as well as the language we use every day.
Collect for Egeria
Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints and who raised up your servant Egeria to be a light in the world: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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198 comments on “Tarcisius vs. Egeria”
This was certainly NOT an easy choice to make! I was, for a time a teacher of both French and Spanish, and I have loved learning new languages, and I am also something of a liturgy geek and lover of the Easter Vigil. OTOH, I am a Chalicist and Ehcharistic Visitor, and I cherish these responsibilities! After prayerful consideration, I chose to go with the valiant Tarcisius. But it was not an easy choice!
I did read all the comments before I cast my vote today. I had not heard of either saint before and I usually vote for the woman as a default. I joined The Episcopal Church because of the liturgical services so I must thank Egeria for that but I’m also a Lay Eucharistic Minister and understand getting the host out in a timely manner.
So we’re tied. However....
We have here in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas a dedicated 12 year old minister Elijah Lee who has been organizing programs and marches dealing with Child Abuse issues. He is such an inspiration and positive influence that I voted for Tarcisius in his honor
Yes. We must see this vote in the light of violence against children!
My vote goes to Tarcisius. His love of our Lord's presence in the Eucharist is admirable. I would like to think that I would have reacted the same way.
No, no, no! Egeria already gets enough credit. I vote for this little kid who was beaten up because he represents many children victims of prejudice and violence!
From my reading a very young boy died having in his possession the body of Christ which was meant for prisoners. Overwhelming.
No lengthy soul-searching for me today - Egeria to the Golden Halo!!!One of my most cherished possessions is A Commentary on Holy Week prepared by the then-rector of a church in which I was a parishioner. He used Egeria’s writings about her trip to the Holy Land as a touchstone. It is wonderfully informative and inspiring and immediate. I wanted to meet her! We owe so much to her for thoughtful observations and detailed descriptions. I am so glad she was included. Great bio too.
Is THE vote count correct? I question it because Tarcisius' name is in bold with less percentage of votes. In THE other results THE other person leading is in bold.
I voted for Tarcisius because he suffered at the hands of bullies and that does seem to follow what seems to be happening in current events.
Egeria...we know she truly existed. The travel she undertook was dangerous at that time, and exceedingly so for a woman. I think our lack of understanding of the risks women in the past lived with often colors our appreciation of what many women have accomplished. Tarcicius, even if nt true, still is a wonderful example of sacrifice....but since I have to choose I go with the ancient bravery of a woman that we know truly happened.....Sadly, there were a lot of tales spread in the early church and the middle ages that simply didn't happen so I can't bring my self to vote for Tarcicius. However, i will add all the children martyrs to my prayers tonight - God truly knows who they are.
I've been waiting to vote for Egeria again since she last appeared in the bracket. Whilst I am grateful to learn about Tarcisius I wonder about the priests who allowed him to do such a dangerous task. I also wonder if Jesus would rather have seen the host spilled on the street than the child bearing God's image in the world brutally murdered. Egeria has given us a gift that still thrills me every year, and I am profoundly grateful for her courage, scholarship and writing.
WHO?
Well, I'm voting late in the day, and true to my intent to change my "MO" when it came to determining choice, I read the comments first. I eventually chose Tarcisius, and it surprised me. My heart won over my head today, but the brutal, unnecessary death of a child for his beliefs won the day.
When I finally get to take part in another Great Vigil of Easter, I will be thinking fondly of Egeria. And now I want to read her writings! Can anyone recommend an English language source?
https://www.amazon.com/Pilgrimage-Egeria-Translation-Itinerarium-Introduction/dp/0814684211/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=egeria&qid=1613862066&s=books&sr=1-1
I also found:
The Pilgrimage of Egeria: A New Translation of the Itinerarium Egeriae with Introduction and Commentary
https://www.powells.com/book/the-pilgrimage-of-egeria-9780814684214
"Synopsis
"This new version of the late fourth-century diary of journeys in and around the Holy Land known as the Itinerarium Egeriae provides a more literal translation of the Latin text than earlier English renderings, with the aim of revealing more of the female traveler's personality. The substantial introduction to the book covers both early pilgrimage as a whole, especially travel by women, and the many liturgical rites of Jerusalem that Egeria describes. Both this and the verse-by-verse commentary alongside the translated text draw on the most recent scholarship, making this essential reading for pilgrims, students, and scholars seeking insight into life and piety during one of Christianity's most formative periods."
Shoutout for Powell's Books! Yes, always support an independent bookseller whenever possible.
I am voting for egeria, I am still mad that I could not be an acolyte as a child plus having to sing in a lesser girls choir while the boys shined.
Sing it, Judy!
My voting criteria
Proof that the saint existed ✅
The saint’s life made a positive contribution to the Christian faithful ✅
Resonates in someway with my journey ✅✅✅
➡️A sure vote for Egeria.
1st year for Lent Madness for me and already learning about new Saints and want to learn even more. Voting based on what the Quakers call speaking to your condition. I vote for Tarcisius. He treasured the Eucharist in ways that make me consider how we can take it for granted. The seriousness of bullying and non violent response speaks to many, and it seems at last, it is not being accepted. Will do a deep dive in Egeria's writings and thanks SEC for letting me know about her.
Pre-pandemic, I served as an acolyte and eucharistic minister, so I voted for Tarcisius.
Loving languages, liturgy, history, and travel, have to go with Egeria. There are some very obscure people in this year's group of saints, it will be so fascinating learning about them.
This is one of the toughest decisions. As a librarian and history lover, I am drawn to Egeria. As an acolyte and one who grew up at a time when girls weren’t allowed to serve, my heart, and vote, go to Tarcisius.
Did that faithful acolyte really exist? I don’t know. There is not enough evidence. Egeria, however, really did. In an age when such a trip would have been difficult she nevertheless traveled to the Holy Land. She bequeathed to us valuable information. As one who majored in History, I have to vote for her.
Matthew 25 - "We are called to lift up the most vulnerable among us."
"A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." - Mahatma Ghandi
I vote to lift up Tarcisius!
I voted before reading other’s thoughts and, following a pattern I have of voting for those who do not travel to the next round, voted for the lad! Christian kids need to know about this boy, he is a true witness!
I go for the guy that was a martyr
As an previous altar server (altar boy in my day) I have to admire the bravery and dedication
of Tarcisius.
Tarcisius, because I serve at the altar,
I am voting for Tarcisius as my first born was an acolyte and my second is a crucifer, so I will vote in honor of their service.
MY VOTE WAS FOR EGERIA. HER COMBINATION OF TRAVEL TO THE LAND OF JESUS AND THE LATIN SHAKE-UP IN LANGUAGE FORCED ME TO HER SIDE,
ALTHOUGH I ENJOYED READING ABOUT BOTH.
I work wonderful young students on the rez.
Tarcisius gets my vote
Tarcisius’ is a beautiful and compelling story; but, apart from his age, he doesn’t really stand out among the white-robed army of martyrs. Egeria gave us a unique treasure and gets my vote for that. I like to think that a man with the same legacy would be equally deserving.
I am happy that Egeria is advancing and would like to read her travel diary. Plus what's not to celebrate in "the"? Happy to see you , Davis. Or is it "the Davis"?
I seem to remember Egeria was the lineup in a former Lenten Madness. Does anyone else remember her?
I remember her. She beat out Hildegard of Bingen and Thomas Ken only to be denied a spot in the 2015 Faithful Four by Fredrick Douglass.
https://www.lentmadness.org/2015/03/frederick-douglass-vs-egeria/
Additionally, Megan Castellan has been Egeria's celebrity blogger both times.
I probably voted for Egeria at sometime in 2015, but today I cast my vote for my fellow acolyte who gave his life for his faith.
Had to vote for Tarcisius after the steadfast faithfulness, and bravery of the child despite all the cruel bullying he endured clear to the point of death despite a Roman Soldier coming to intervene and rescue him.